New RYTM owner here, returning to the Elektron world after some years away. I just got a RYTM mk2 yesterday.
I’m surprised at how un-dynamic the machine is! I’ve made analog drum sounds for a long time with monosynths, modulars, and I also was one of the first Tempest owners and contributed a ton of knowledge and sounds to that community. I know all about drum synthesis and all sorts of programming and design tricks to make good sounds.
The RYTM’s machines do not seem dynamic in the slightest - there’s really no snap, thump, thwack, thump, no feeling of “moving air” no matter what you do with the parameters. There’s plenty of bass, plenty of cool sonic stuff going on, but it really just sounds SO flat to me that I’m surprised - put it next to even something like a Volca Beats or a simple SH-101 doing filter zaps and it’s world of difference.
BUT WAIT - I discovered the master compressor. THERE’S the dynamics! Suddenly that lifeless snare is snapping and cracking where before it sounded dull and thuddy!
Do you consider the compressor to be an essential component of the RYTM’s sound instead of an optional effect? I have plenty of HW compressors and know them well. This compressor seems to be almost more of a transient designer and an essential component of this thing instead of an option if you want to “compress” the thing. I’m comfortable working that concept into my workflow instead of thinking of it as compression, even. Have you found this to be true?